Comments on: Explode The Code http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/ Curriculum decisions made simple Mon, 21 May 2012 12:08:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Edie http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-4591 Edie Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:54:45 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-4591 I've used Explode the Code with my son and now my daughter. My son worked his way through book 7 by the end of 3rd grade by doing a couple of pages a day on average. I supplemented with an additional handwriting workbook and phonics readers. Then for 4th grade we started him on Switched on Schoolhouse 4th grade language arts and he is doing well! He's very well prepared. My daughter is in 1st grade and just about to finish book three right before Christmas break. I plan to keep working with her on Explode the Code, handwriting, and readers through 2nd grade and go as far as we go, then transition her to Switched on Schoolhouse in 3rd grade. She's learning to read so we are doing something right!! I’ve used Explode the Code with my son and now my daughter. My son worked his way through book 7 by the end of 3rd grade by doing a couple of pages a day on average. I supplemented with an additional handwriting workbook and phonics readers. Then for 4th grade we started him on Switched on Schoolhouse 4th grade language arts and he is doing well! He’s very well prepared.

My daughter is in 1st grade and just about to finish book three right before Christmas break. I plan to keep working with her on Explode the Code, handwriting, and readers through 2nd grade and go as far as we go, then transition her to Switched on Schoolhouse in 3rd grade. She’s learning to read so we are doing something right!!

]]> By: KC Mom http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-3063 KC Mom Wed, 11 May 2011 02:26:14 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-3063 I love these books and, what's a more telling feature, so does my daughter. She knew her letter sounds and how to blend them to make simple words like "cat" before she was 4. I borrowed several "teach your kid to read" books from the library and she hated them all. Of them, she hated "Phonics Pathways" the least so I bought that one. I only tried to do about 5 minutes a few times a week but she quickly began resisting, telling me it was boring and that she hated the book. I gave it a rest for a few months and tried again with the same result. So, I decided to try "Explode the Code". She loved it. The simple pictures, short exercises, and predictable format really worked for her. I still only do about 5 minutes 4 to 5 days a week. Some days we do 2 pages, some only 1. We also supplement with books from the Bob series and from the Now I'm Reading series - those help with variety and with reading longer things instead of mostly individual words. We finished book 1 of the Code today and she was so proud of herself for reading such a long "book"! We'll be off to book 2 tomorrow! I love these books and, what’s a more telling feature, so does my daughter.
She knew her letter sounds and how to blend them to make simple words like “cat” before she was 4. I borrowed several “teach your kid to read” books from the library and she hated them all. Of them, she hated “Phonics Pathways” the least so I bought that one. I only tried to do about 5 minutes a few times a week but she quickly began resisting, telling me it was boring and that she hated the book. I gave it a rest for a few months and tried again with the same result.
So, I decided to try “Explode the Code”. She loved it. The simple pictures, short exercises, and predictable format really worked for her.
I still only do about 5 minutes 4 to 5 days a week. Some days we do 2 pages, some only 1. We also supplement with books from the Bob series and from the Now I’m Reading series – those help with variety and with reading longer things instead of mostly individual words. We finished book 1 of the Code today and she was so proud of herself for reading such a long “book”!
We’ll be off to book 2 tomorrow!

]]> By: Caryn http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-2996 Caryn Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:23:07 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-2996 Stephanie, I was happy to hear of your recent interest in Explode the Code. Your blog is the one of the more recent in this conversation. I hope you are still checking for responses. I am an RTI specialist for Reading at my school and I have researched many programs. I love Explode the Code! The best part about it is that, yes, you can jump to whatever book is designed for the specific problem your kids are having. I helped some older students and only used the books that were appropriate for them. The series is very affordable, easy to use, and appropriate for any age. Older kids don't feel like they are using little kid books. There is a book of placement assessments that use can use to tell you exactly which book they need. The assessments are fast and easy. Hope this helps! Stephanie,
I was happy to hear of your recent interest in Explode the Code. Your blog is the one of the more recent in this conversation. I hope you are still checking for responses. I am an RTI specialist for Reading at my school and I have researched many programs. I love Explode the Code! The best part about it is that, yes, you can jump to whatever book is designed for the specific problem your kids are having. I helped some older students and only used the books that were appropriate for them. The series is very affordable, easy to use, and appropriate for any age. Older kids don’t feel like they are using little kid books. There is a book of placement assessments that use can use to tell you exactly which book they need. The assessments are fast and easy. Hope this helps!

]]> By: Stephanie http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-2911 Stephanie Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:15:05 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-2911 I am looking for a spelling program... and my children are significantly older than the basics (daughter age 12 and son age 9). I have never "seen" explode the code, but have heard good things about it. Can I jump in at the 'end' and get an explode the code lesson #6 or 7? Or is this something they need to have started in book 1. What do you think? Thanks! I am looking for a spelling program… and my children are significantly older than the basics (daughter age 12 and son age 9). I have never “seen” explode the code, but have heard good things about it. Can I jump in at the ‘end’ and get an explode the code lesson #6 or 7? Or is this something they need to have started in book 1. What do you think? Thanks!

]]> By: Juanita http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-704 Juanita Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:36:56 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-704 The preschool books are Get Set For the Code A, B and C. The preschool books are Get Set For the Code A, B and C.

]]> By: Laurie Jackson http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-600 Laurie Jackson Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:33:57 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-600 I use the code books as well for my children. I wanted to leave a comment because it seems that there may be some confusion with the grade levels. These books only go up to grade 4. First grade books 1-2, second grade books 3-4, third grade 5-6 and fourth 7-8. I am writing this in response to the post from Shannon C. The 1/2 books are in case a student needs more help. I use the code books as well for my children. I wanted to leave a comment because it seems that there may be some confusion with the grade levels. These books only go up to grade 4. First grade books 1-2, second grade books 3-4, third grade 5-6 and fourth 7-8. I am writing this in response to the post from Shannon C. The 1/2 books are in case a student needs more help.

]]> By: Heather http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-541 Heather Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:50:21 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-541 Has any one used the preschool Explode the Code workbooks (I think there are 2?)? I'm wondering if they are worthwhile. Heather Has any one used the preschool Explode the Code workbooks (I think there are 2?)? I’m wondering if they are worthwhile.

Heather

]]> By: Brenda http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Brenda Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:57:53 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-533 Shannon, I haven't used them by grade level, personally. How ever many pages can be done in 15 minutes is what we do generally. Then we spend the rest of the time reading or playing phonics games. Debbie, I'm sorry I have not heard of the book you mentioned. .-= Brenda´s last blog ..<a href="http://thetiethatbindsus.blogspot.com/2009/09/sunday-pancake-breakfasts.html" rel="nofollow">Sunday pancake breakfasts</a> =-. Shannon, I haven’t used them by grade level, personally. How ever many pages can be done in 15 minutes is what we do generally. Then we spend the rest of the time reading or playing phonics games.

Debbie, I’m sorry I have not heard of the book you mentioned.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Sunday pancake breakfasts =-.

]]> By: Shannon C http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Shannon C Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:48:10 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-532 I never realized that they were by grade level. My newly 7 year old is on book 5 and doing awesome so is that 5th grade level?! I never realized that they were by grade level. My newly 7 year old is on book 5 and doing awesome so is that 5th grade level?!

]]> By: April Kelley http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-529 April Kelley Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:15:33 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-529 I agree about Explode the Code. I had heard about it and seen but was not sure about it until we tried it. My son does not like any language arts (and we've tried many) expect for this. Both of my children LOVE ETC and beg to do it!! I am so thankful to the manufacturer for these workbooks. .-= April Kelley´s last blog ..<a href="http://aprilskelley.blogspot.com/2009/09/megans-first-lost-tooth.html" rel="nofollow">Megan's first Lost tooth</a> =-. I agree about Explode the Code. I had heard about it and seen but was not sure about it until we tried it. My son does not like any language arts (and we’ve tried many) expect for this. Both of my children LOVE ETC and beg to do it!! I am so thankful to the manufacturer for these workbooks.
.-= April Kelley´s last blog ..Megan’s first Lost tooth =-.

]]> By: Debbie O'Ney http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/09/explode-the-code/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Debbie O'Ney Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:24:38 +0000 http://thecurriculumchoice.com/?p=1748#comment-528 Hello! I' ve been looking online all night. Very tired and mentally spent. Does anyone at all know about "ABC The Key with Miss Jones" for reading and phonics. I was planning to get it as I am starting my son in kindergarten this month. Any help at all is so appreciated. THANK YOU! : ) Debbie Hello! I’ ve been looking online all night. Very tired and mentally spent. Does anyone at all know about “ABC The Key with Miss Jones” for reading and phonics. I was planning to get it as I am starting my son in kindergarten this month. Any help at all is so appreciated. THANK YOU! : ) Debbie

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